Hardtop removal bracket and methods of use thereof

Abstract

A bracket is provided having a base and an arm. The base can be connected to a rear window hinge support of a hardtop with the hinge bolts used to secure a rear window hinge. The base has slots that provide for an increased flexibility of bolt patterns or widths. The top of the slots are open with necks to allow for easy insertion and removal of the brackets without removal of the rear window and allows the brackets to be used with multiple models. The base has a central void. An arm having an eye upstands from the base. A relief is provided at the area where the arm is connected to the base. Two brackets (a left and a right bracket) are secured to a hardtop before use. A hoist or lift can connect to the eyes to facilitate removal and storage of the hardtop.

I claim: 
     
       1. A device comprising:
 a first piece having:
 a base lying in a base plane; and 
 an arm with an eye, said eye being round, said arm lying in an arm plane, said arm plane being perpendicular to said base plane; and 
 
 a second piece, said second piece having at least one hole there through for connecting to an object, wherein said second piece is pivotally connected to said base whereby said base and said second piece act as a hinge. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  wherein:
 said base has a first hole there through; and 
 said base has a second hole there through. 
 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2  wherein:
 said eye has an eye axis; 
 said first hole has a first hole longitudinal axis and said second hole has a second hole longitudinal axis; 
 said first hole longitudinal axis is generally parallel to said second hole longitudinal axis; and 
 said eye axis is generally perpendicular to said first hole longitudinal axis and to said second hole longitudinal axis. 
 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1  wherein said eye is integral with said base. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1  wherein said eye is offset from said base plane. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5  wherein said arm has a distal end and a proximal end, said eye being located at said distal end of said arm. 
     
     
       7. A device comprising:
 a first piece having:
 a base, said base lying in a base plane and having a base hole therethrough along a base hole axis that is perpendicular to said base plane; and 
 an arm, said arm lying in an arm plane and having an eye therethrough along an eye axis that is perpendicular to said arm plane, said eye being round, said arm plane being perpendicular to said base plane; and 
 
 a second piece pivotally connected to said first piece along a pivot axis that is perpendicular to said base hole axis. 
 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7  wherein:
 said base has a first hole there through; and 
 said base has a second hole there through. 
 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 7  wherein said eye is integral with said base. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 7  wherein said eye is offset from said base plane. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10  wherein said arm has a distal end and a proximal end, said eye being located at said distal end of said arm. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 7  wherein said second piece is pivotally connected to said base whereby said base and said second piece act as a hinge.